Men's Soccer Opens CAA Tournament With Monarchs
WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNC Wilmington visits Old Dominion this evening as it looks to return to the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association championship tournament for the second consecutive season. The quarterfinal match set for a 7 p.m. kickoff at the ODU Soccer Stadium.
The Seahawks, who are making their fourth straight trip to the postseason, defeated the nationally ranked Monarchs just 11 days ago by a score of 3-0 in Norfolk. It was UNCW's first win in Norfolk since the 1993 season.
In 2005, the Seahawks made their first appearance in the semifinals following a 2-0 win at Virginia Commonwealth. But it would be the Monarchs who would end UNCW's run as ODU scored twice in a six-minute span in the second half to overcome a 1-0 deficit.
Freshman midfielder Pedro Pereira lifted the Seahawks into the tournament by scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory in the season finale against Georgia State. For his efforts, the Cedar Park, Texas native was named CAA Rookie-of-the-Week for the second time this season. Senior Rick Henderson put the game away with his team-leading fifth goal of the season later in the second half.
Senior goalkeeper Brad Knighton celebrated his final regular season game at the UNCW Soccer Stadium by matching his season-high with seven saves and lowering his school single season goals against average record to 0.83. It was also Knighton's 40th career win.
While nine seniors have helped guide the Seahawks to the postseason, one can not overlook the contributions of the freshmen. Entering tonight's game, rookies have accounted for 36 percent of the offense and eight players have appeared in at least 10 games.
Senior striker Edson Elcock will look to help the Monarchs rebound from their earlier setback to the Seahawks. Elcock ranks among the CAA leaders with 25 points on 10 goals and five assists. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native is coming off a strong effort in which he notched both goals in a 2-1 win over rival William & Mary in the season finale for both sides.
Returning from an injury that forced him to miss six games will be freshman goalkeeper Evan Newton who has fashioned a 0.89 GAA in 12 matches.
The winner of tonight's match will take on second seeded and two-time defending Hofstra on Friday in the semifinals at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
